ESL Podcast 718 - Serving on a Jury
jury - a group of people who listen to a legal case and reach an agreement on whether someone is guilty (did the crime) or innocent (did not do the crime)
The attorney hopes to have a jury with mostly women, because he thinks they'll be more sympathetic toward his client.
judge - a person whose job is to maintain order in the courtroom during a legal case and decide what punishment is appropriate if the defendant is found guilty
The judge sentenced the murderer to life in prison.
to swear (someone) in - to make someone repeat a statement in a courtroom, promising to tell the truth before he or she speaks in a legal case
Molly spoke for 40 minutes before anyone realized that they had forgotten to swear her in. Then she had to do it all over again.
prosecutor - an attorney who is trying to show that the defendant is guilty, arguing against the defense attorney
The prosecutor did a very good job of proving the defendant was lying.
case - lawsuit; a legal argument; a legal accusation and defense that will be resolved in court
Pierre is involved in a case against the state regarding his property taxes.
witness - a person who has knowledge of another person or event and goes into a court to share that information
Are there any witnesses who can confirm you were at the conference that day?
to testify - to formally and officially make a statement about what is true, especially in court
Are you willing to testify about what you saw that day?
to sequester - to isolate; to prevent someone or a group of people from having contact with other people, newspapers, magazines, television, and radio
The jury members were angry that they were sequestered for almost two weeks.
high-profile - receiving a lot of attention because something is very important or shocking
Every journalist dreams of interviewing high-profile celebrities and politicians.
foreman - the leader and spokesperson of a jury, who counts the jury members' votes and announces their decision in the court
Everyone in the courtroom was surprised when the foreman said, "We find the defendant not guilty."
defense attorney - a lawyer who is trying to show that the defendant is not guilty, arguing against the prosecutor
Ulysses has been charged with auto theft, so now he needs to find a really good defense attorney.
exhibit - an object shown in a courtroom because it seems to show the defendant is guilty or not guilty
Exhibits for that case included the defendant's blood-stained clothes and the murder weapon.
defendant - a person who has been accused of something and is trying to prove his or her innocence in the court
The defendant claims she isn't guilty, but I don't believe her.
to take the stand - to officially speak in a courtroom during a trial, either as a witness or a defendant, when one has promised to tell the truth
A real friend would never ask you to take the stand and lie to protect him.
to put a criminal behind bars - to punish someone who has broken the law by putting him or her in jail
The new police chief has promised to fight corruption within the police force and to put all criminals behind bars.
impartial - not biased; objective; able to listen to what others say and analyze the facts in order to make a fair decision, without basing it on the personal opinions one already has
Teachers need to be impartial when they grade their students' exams.
to convict - for someone to be found guilty in a courtroom trial
Michelle was charged with tax evasion, but she was never convicted.
guilty - not innocent; having broken the law; having done something wrong
After hours of questioning by police, the young man admitted that he was guilty of the robbery.